By Mutwiri Mutuota

Gor Mahia are the inaugural Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Super Cup champions after blanking an experimental Mathare United side 3-0 at Kasarani.

Habil Otieno struck twice early in both halves including his second only 19 seconds after the restart and substitute Ben Gemenet added the gloss in stoppage time as the 13 time league winners outclassed KPL champions Mathare in a tasty encounter.

After Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, made the ceremonial kick-off, Gor found the net in the 14th minute when Otieno bundled home from close range after Mathare second choice keeper Martin Musalia made a hush of a flicked on throw in.

However, it was Mathare who fashioned the first chance when the lively John Onami shot straight at Gor keeper Jerry Onyango from the left after seven minutes.

With one eye on the first round CAF Champions League away tie to Zesco in Ndola Zambia, Mathare coach Francis Kimanzi offered a line-up that had three former Gor players, Andrew Oyombe, Lloyd Wahome and Kevin Oliech who came on in the second period.

Mulama Returns

There was also a first start for the returning midfielder, Titus Mulama who signed with his former club after switching from Sweden’s Vasteras SK.

While Mathare struggled to find any rhythm, KFF Cup winners Gor, buoyed by Habil’s goal began pressing on the league champions in the cagey first half action.

Reserve striker

Steve Otieno almost gifted Mathare a goal when he fumbled in the box to allow reserve striker, Innocent Mutiso to run at Onyango but his first touch was heavy in the 23rd minute and in the 38th livewire Otieno missed a second when he headed fractionally wide from Peter Opiyo’s cross field delivery.

Onami ended first half action with a tame shot that was gathered easily by Onyango.

Fans had hardly sat for the second half when a long ball from the midfield saw debutant Gor striker, Christopher Otieno control the ball, turn Kevin Aido and centre the ball.

Denied penalty

Habil snuffed the pass before deftly shrugging off the trailing challenge of Malik Abdul and rifling the ball past Musalia from close range to send the delirious Gor fans wild.

Onami missed two chances to pull one back before referee Carlin Alusa denied Gor a stone cold penalty when Fred Onyango tripped George Odhiambo in the box on 72 minutes.

But some measure of justice was served when Gemenet, a recruit from Bungoma United sent Gor fans to orbit with a crisp low shot to the bottom corner in the second minute of extra time.